Ja

Morant

Thursday’s game will be the sixth that Morant has missed with a strained left hamstring. At this point, the Grizzlies’ focus is likely on ensuring he’s healthy for the playoffs. Scotty Pippen Jr. has started the last two games and flourished in that role. However, Luke Kennard is another possibility since he brings more size to the table in this matchup. Whoever starts should be streamed in fantasy leagues.

Morant will miss a fifth-straight game with this hamstring injury. Luke Kennard had been starting in his place, but Scotty Pippen Jr. got the starting nod on Friday. He had 15 points, three rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block and three three-pointers in 27 minutes as a starter against the Clippers.

This will be a fourth-straight absence for Morant. Luke Kennard should continue to start in his place, and he had been productive in that role. Desmond Bane should see a boost in production with Morant sidelined. He has averaged 29.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 4.3 three-pointers over the last three games.

Wednesday’s game will be the third Morant has missed with a sore left hamstring. Luke Kennard will remain in the starting lineup, with Desmond Bane assuming most of the primary playmaker responsibilities. Kennard is worth rostering in deep leagues, while Bane possesses a higher fantasy ceiling when Morant is out.

Pippen is dealing with a sore left wrist, hence his appearance on the Grizzlies’ injury report. With Ja Morant (shoulder) out, a few more minutes may be available to Pippen if he can play. However, Luke Kennard has been the starter on nights when the Grizzlies are without Morant. Kennard is worth streaming in deep leagues, with Morant’s absence also raising Desmond Bane’s fantasy ceiling.

Morant missed Saturday’s game with a shoulder injury and now he’s dealing with a hamstring issue. The Grizzlies point guard will be replaced by Luke Kennard, who has started alongside Desmond Bane with Morant sidelined. Scotty Pippen Jr., who recorded a double-double on Saturday, will also have a higher fantasy ceiling.

Morant’s absence impacts the Grizzlies’ rotation and fantasy basketball more, as it opens up a spot in the starting lineup. Luke Kennard is the likely replacement, as his presence would shift more of the playmaking responsibilities onto Desmond Bane’s shoulders. As for Williams, his absence frees up additional minutes for GG Jackson, who should not be rostered in most fantasy leagues.

This one to keep an eye on. Morant has said previously that his shoulder has been an issue all season long, but he hasn’t been on the injury report for most of March. Coming off a 44-point performance Friday night, an injury to the 25-year-old point guard is the last thing fantasy managers want to see. Scotty Pippen Jr. could move into the starting lineup if Morant is out and would be worth streaming.

Morant had been on a scoring tear with at least 28 points in four straight games entering play Friday. The 25-year-old point guard put all those performances to shame against the Cavaliers as he dropped 44 points. Morant is a bit of a throwback as he made just one three-pointer and shot 77 percent from the field. He also had just two turnovers and has now committed two or fewer turnovers in three of his last four games, which is another positive development for fantasy managers.

With a two-point lead and the clock winding down at the end of the fourth quarter, Morant got loose and hit an open 3-pointer to seal the win over the Jazz. The 25-year-old point guard continued his high scoring totals with at least 28 points for the fourth straight game. Morant only had two turnovers Wednesday, which is certainly a positive as turnovers have tanked his fantasy value since the All-Star break.